Apparatus for handling and stowing cargo on a cargo vessel



APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STOWING CARGO ON A CARGO VESSEL Filed NOV.21, 1967 March 3, 1970 E. T. SOMMER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS March 3,1970 E. 1'. SOMMER 3,498,477

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STOWING CARGO ON A CARGO VESSEL INVENTORATTORNEYS March 3, 1970 'r, soM 3,498,477

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND STOWING CARGO ON A CARGO VESSEL Filed Nov.21, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet '5 INVENTOR Jaw/72w ATTORNEYS March 3, 1970 1'.SOMMER 3,498,477

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND SI'OWING CARGO ON A CARGO VESSEL Filed Nov.21, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 24 INVENTOR fiwzzzydfia/zzrrzew L/AMzA/M WATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,498,477 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING ANDSTOWING CARGO ON A CARGO VESSEL Edmund T. Sommer, 6303 Wynkoop Blvd.,Bethesda, Md. 20034 Filed Nov. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 684,738 Int. Cl. B63b27/10, 9/12, 29/00 U.S. Cl. 214- 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Acargo vessel includes a plurality of spaced guide means definingindividual cargo cells each of which has a separate hatch thereover.Crane means movable along the upper portion of the vessel is disposed inspanning relationship to the cargo hold area within which said cargocells are disposed and includes pick-up hoists for moving cargo into andout of the cells. A bridge deck means is also movable along the upperportion of the vessel and is movable through the crane means. Movableplatforms may be supported in certain cells in desired verticalrelationship therewithin. Containers having wheel means thereon andmeans for engaging the crane means may be disposed within certain of thecells. Passenger accommodation means is provided in overlying spacedrelation to I the cargo cells.

ment which enables the vessel to handle break bulk general cargo,unitized general cargo such as pallets, containers, vehicles and thelike, and which at the same time incorporates a substantial amount ofpassenger carrying accommodations.

So-called container ships have been provided in the prior art which areadapted to receive containers of one type or another, this concept ofplacing the cargo in containers now being quite prevalent. Prior artcontainer ships have employed fixed decks with spaced hatches whichpresent serious problems in removing the containers out of the wings inthe various decks and particularly from the lower decks when the hatchesare filled with containers.

US. Patent No. 2,985,131 discloses a container ship wherein a pluralityof spaces are provided therein for receiving containers which areadapted to be stacked one upon another. This type of arrangement isadequate when nothing but containers are to be shipped, but is notsatisfactory where it is also desired to ship break bulk cargo as wellas containers. In those cases wherein fixed decks are provided, which ofcourse is suitable for stowing break bulk cargo, limited stowage isprovided since the height between the fixed decks may not be practicalfor stowing certain types of break bulk cargo.

In prior art container ships and the like, the upper deck thereof is notflush, but as for example shown in the aforementioned U.S. patent, thevarious hatch covers are spaced from one another so as to present anumber of gaps or spaces along the upper deck of the ship which makes itdiflicult to maneuver and move cargo therealong. It is evident that anyinterrupted portions of the deck or projecting parts will substantiallyinterfere with free movement of cargo about the deck.

A further disadvantage of conventional container ships and the like isthe fact that they do not provide any substantial amount of passengeraccommodations, and accordingly the use of the ship is quite limited.

A further disadvantage of prior art container ships and the like is thefact that stevedores are usually required for handling the containersboth above and below decks. In many cases, it is necessary to clear thedeck at the first port where it is desired to unload when- Patented Mar.3, 1970 ICC ever a portion of the cargo has been stowed on deck. Theso-called overstowage problem involved in prior art ships presents areal disadvantage to such arrangements. When it is necessary to load anddischarge many different cargoes at many different ports on a singlevoyage, it is often very difiicult to gain access to any particularportion of the cargo on an individual cargo deck or an individual cargoframe. This overstowage problem results in substantial losses in time inloading and unloading ships.

Such prior art vessel arrangements also have a limited amount of deckspace for stowage thereon and accordingly there is often inadequatespace available for stowing cargo on the deck particularly duringloading and unloading operations.

A further disadvantage of the prior art container ships is that thecontainers employed therewith are not readily handled or of such aconstruction so as to permit easy maneuvering thereof along the deck orwithin the cargo holds.

SUMMARY 'OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novelarrangement wherein guide means are disposed in spaced relationshipwithin the cargo hold area of the vessel and define a plurality of cargocells. An individual hatch is provided for each of these cells wherebyaccess may readily be obtained to each particular cell withoutinterfering with adjacent cells.

The structure of the present invention is especially adapted to permitshipping of containers as well as break bulk cargo. The break bulk cargois effectively handled by providing movable cargo support means in theform of platforms within one or more of the cells of the vessel, andfurther providing selectively operable holding means for holding themovable cargo support means in any desired operative position dependingon the type of break bulk cargo to be supported thereby. This enablesthe amount of vertical stowage space in any particular cell to bereadily adjusted.

The upper deck means of the present invention includes a plurality ofhatches defining a substantially flush deck. By having a flush upperdeck, stowage and movement of cargo on and along this upper deck isquite feasible. Accordingly, the upper deck of the present invention isespecially suited for stowage and handling of cargo.

The present invention additionally provides an arrangement whereinpassenger accommodation means is disposed in overlying spacedrelationship to the cargo cells thereof. This enables a relatively largenumber of passengers to be accommodated without seriously interferringwith the cargo carrying capacity of the vessel, nor the cargo handlingefliciency thereof. Accordingly, a vessel is provided which below decksis principally a cargo carrying vessel and with a superstructure whichis a passenger accommodation means and extended over and above the cargocells to provide protection therefor from the elements and so forth.

The arrangement of the present invention enables cargo to be handledwith a minimum of stevedoring and substantially eliminates theoverstorage problem encountered in the prior art since it is possible toreadily gain access to any particular portion of the cargo. This enableseconomic handling of the cargo and substantially reduces the amount oftime required in either loading or unloading the vessel. Additionally,with the arrangement of the present invention cargo can be handled atmany positions along the deck of the vessel due to the fact that variousindividual hatches may be removed from certain cells and further sincemovable cargo transfer means in the form of crane means is mounted formovement along the upper portion of the vessel.

The present invention also includes an auxiliary bridge deck meansdisposed in spanning relationship to the cargo cells and movable alongthe upper portion of the vessel. This auxiliary bridge deck meansincludes an upper supporting surface adapted to receive cargo thereonwhereby additional auxiliary stowage space is provided.

The containers employed in the present invention are also of novelconstruction and include lift fittings which enables them to be readilylifted, and also include wheels thereon whereby the containers may beeasily moved along the deck of the vessel when so desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a cargovessel according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view on an enlarged scale illustrating themanner in which a container is disposed upon a support means whencarrying out the method of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong line 4-4 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong line 66 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong line 77 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong line 8-8 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantiallyalong line 99 of FIG. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 of FIG.9 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a vessel according to the present inventionincorporating passenger accommodation means; and

FIGS. 12-19 illustrate successive steps involved in the method ofunloading the cargo vessel according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, the cargo vessel of the present inventionis indicated generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 by reference numeral 20. Thevessel includes a forebody portion 22 and a middle body portion 24,these two portions being separated interiorly thereof by a transversebulkhead 26. The vessel also includes an afterbody portion 28 separatedinteriorly from the middle body portion by a transverse bulkhead 30.

A deckhouse superstructure 40 is supported on the afterbody portion 28,and a navigation bridge superstructure 42 is supported by the forebodyportion 22.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 4, the hull of the ship is formed by anouter bottom 50 which joins with sides 52 and 54 disposed substantiallyparallel with one another. Longitudinally extending bulkheads 56 and 58are disposed inwardly of and substantially parallel with the sides 52and 54 respectively. An inner bottom '60 is spaced from the outer bottom50 and a vertical keel 62 extends longitudinally of the ship between thetwo bottoms 50 and 60.

The upper deck means is indicated generally by reference numeral 66 andincludes a plurality of similar hatch covers one of which is numbered 68in this view, these ha ch covers being disposed adjacent one another andcooperating to define a substantially flush deck.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that a plurality of hatch covers68 similar to hatch covers 68 are provided, these various hatch coverscooperating to define a flush deck means dis-posed over the cargo holdarea defined in the middle body portion 24 of the vessel between thetransversely extending bulkheads 26 and 30.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a first plurality of spaced guide means 70 areprovided, these guide means being of substantially T-shaped crosssectional configuration and being fixedly secured in verticallyextending relationship along the inwardly facing surface of thelongitudinal bulkhead 56. Similar guide means are secured to theopposite longitudinally extending bulkhead 58.

The guide means also includes a plurality of spaced intermediate guidemembers 72 which have a substantially X-shaped cross sectionalconfiguration as seen in FIG. 5. These various guide members are fixedlysecured at the lower end thereof to the inner bottom 60, and the upperends thereof may be interconnected with one another if desired bysuitable cross brace members of similar thickness.

It will be noted that the various guide members define individualrectangular cells which are adapted to slidably receive containers eachof which is indicated by reference numeral 76 in FIG. 5. Thesecontainers have a size so that the corners thereof are adapted to fitwithin the corners defined by the spaced guide means so that thecontainers will be adapted to slide vertically within the individualassociated cells, but are not permitted to shift fore and aft of theship or athwartships.

The entire cargo hold area is provided with vertically extending spacedguide means so arranged that four adjacent guide means as for exampleseen in FIG. 5 define individual cells whereby the entire cargo holdarea is divided into a plurality of cells so that the ship may be saidto have a cellular construction. In addition, a separate individualhatch cover 68 is disposed over each of the individual cells wherebyaccess may be gained to any particular cell and the cargo disposedtherewithin.

As seen in FIG. 4, a plurality of containers 76 are adapted to bestacked one on top of another, and as illustrated, there are fourcontainers disposed within each of the cells in a tiered arrangement.Each of the containers 76 is of hollow rectangular configuration and isadapted to have suitable cargo indicated by reference numeral 80disposed therewithin.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, each of the containers 76 includes abottom wall 84 having four spaced brackets 86 secured thereto adjacentthe four lower corners thereof and extending downwardly therefrom, thesebrackets serving to support wheels 88 which may be rubber tired wheels,these wheels being rotatably supported by the brackets so that eachcontainer is mounted on four spaced rubber tired wheels whereby it maybe readily maneuvered along a suitable supporting surface such as theflush deck of the ship. These wheels may also be mounted on caster typesupport brackets if so desired. It will be noted that the wheels of onecontainer are adapted to rest upon the upper wall 90 of an adjacentcontainer.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the upper wall 90 of each of the containers 76is provided with four spaced lifting fittings indicated generally byreference numeral 94, these fittings being adapted for attachment tocable means 96 and 98 as indicated in phantom lines which form a liftingsling adapted to be interconnected with a hook 100 of a hoist meanshereinafter described.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the top wall 90 of container 76 is providedwith a plurality of threaded holes one of which is illustrated in thisfigure. The fitting 94 includes a dish-shaped central portion 112, andhas external threads 114 formed thereon which are adapted to thread intothe threads formed in the top wall 90 of the container for securing thefitting in position. A cross bar 116 of the fitting extendsdiametrically between opposite sides of the fitting in spacedrelationship from the dish portion .112 whereby the portion 116 isadapted to be connected with a hook 96' indicated in phantom linesdisposed at the end of cable 96 previously described.

Referring again to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a pair of longitudinallyextending rails 120 and 122 are provided adjacent opposite sides of thevessel and extend substantially throughout the length of the middle bodyportion of the vessel. Cargo transfer means in the form of a rollinggantry bridge crane 124 is mounted for rolling movement along the rails120 and 122.

This crane means is of relatively conventional construction and includesopposite lower side members 130 and 132 having railway type wheels 1'34and 136 journalled therein respectively for rotation, these wheelsengaging the tracks 120 and 122 so that the crane means is guided in itsmovement fore and aft of the ship. An electric drive motor 138 isindicated as being drivingly interconnected with the wheels 134 forproviding the powered drive for the crane means.

A pair of upright support members .140 extend vertically upwardly fromopposite ends of the lower side members 130 and are rigidlyinterconnected with an upper side member 142. A similar pair of veritcalupright support members 144 are interconnected with opposite ends of thelower side member 132, and an upper side member 146 is connected at itsopposite ends to the upper ends of support members 144.

A pair of cross members 150 and 152 as seen most clearly in FIG. 2 havethe opposite ends thereof rigidly secured to side members 142 and 146respectively for providing a rigid framework.

As seen in FIG. 4, a first trolley member 160 is supported upon aplurality of wheels 162 which are movable along the cross members 150and 152. A pick-up hoist or winch 164 is supported by trolley member160', and a hook member 166 is disposed at the lower portion of thehoist. A similar trolley member 17 0 is supported upon wheels 172 whichalso move along the cross members 150 and 152. A pick-up hoist or winch174 is supported by trolley member 170, and the hook 100 previouslydescribed is mounted at the lower portion of the hoist.

As seen in FIG. 2, the crane means may be provided with folding jibextensions 180 which extend Outboard of the ship to facilitate on andoff loading of cargo with respect to a dock and the like.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a movable crane means isprovided which is disposed in spanning relationship to the cargo holdarea of the ship, and that by moving the crane means fore and aft, andalso by moving the trolley members 160 and 170 athwarthships, thepick-up hoists may be disposed over any suitable cargo cell as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cargo handling bridge deck means isindicated generally by reference numeral 184 and is of such aconstruction so as to provide an upper support surface 186 upon whichcontainers or other cargo may be stored as required. This bridge deckmeans is of a smaller dimension than the aforementioned crane means sothat it can actually pass through the crane means and is movable foreand aft of the crane means and with respect thereto.

The bridge deck means is mounted upon a plurality of wheels 188rotatably supported at opposite sides thereof, these wheels being of therailway type and adapted for movement along tracks 190 and 192 as seenin FIG. 4 which are disposed inboard of the tracks 120 and 122respectively previously described. It is apparent that with thisarrangement, the bridge deck means may be moved under the crane meansand cargo may be deposited upon the upper supporting surface 186 of thebridge deck means by the pick-up hoists of the crane means. It is ofcourse understood that the upper supporting surface 186 of the bridgedeck means is disposed sufficiently :below the pick-up hoists to permitthis operation to be carried out.

As mentioned previously, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an arrangement wherein not only containers may be readilystored, but break bulk cargo of different dimensions may also beaccommodated by the structure.

As seen in FIG. 8, a plurality of containers 76 similar to thosepreviously described are provided in certain cells of the cargo holdarea. In addition, in one of the cells, a movable cargo support means orplatform 200 is provided, which is adapted to fit slidably within theguide means as are the containers, and yet is of such a dimension as tobe held against relative movement with respect to the guide means foreand aft or athwarthships. This platform 200 as seen in FIG. 8 has alarge piece of machinery 202 such as a boiler supported thereon, itbeing apparent that this piece of machinery is of greater verticalheight than the containers 76.

Another cell is provided with a movable cargo support means or platform204 having a suitable piece of machinery such as indicated 'by referencenumeral 206 supported thereby.

Means is provided for selectively holding the platforms in a particulardesired vertical position within the associated cell. Referring to FIGS.9 and 10, the holding means for the platform 204 includes a plurality ofvertically spaced holes 210' provided in each of the legs of the supportmembers 72, similar holes of course also being provided in the leg ofeach of support members 70. A pin means indicated generally by referencenumeral 212 includes a reduced threaded portion 214 which is adapted tobe threaded into a threaded hole 216 provided in the side of theplatform 204. The pin means also includes an enlarged cylindrical head218- which is adapted to fit snugly within one of the holes 210 ofsimilar cross sectional configuration provided in the support members72. This enlarged head 218 is provided with a socket 220 adapted toreceive an end wrench for threading the pin into operative position asseen in FIGS. 9 and 10.

It is apparent that after the movable support means or platform 204 islowered into the desired vertical position by a pick-up hoist suitablyconnected therewith as by means of eye bolts or the like, the pin meansmay be threaded into place as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10 from anadjacent cell whereby the platform is held in the desired verticalposition. It is also apparent that these pin means can be readilyremoved when desired to remove the platform from its cell.

Each platform is preferably provided with at least four holes similar tohole 216, two holes being provided adjacent the corners of each side ofthe platform so that the platform may be fixed in desired vertical.position.

Referring now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, a cargo vessel 20'substantially identical with the cargo vessel 20 is illustrated, similarparts thereof having been given the same reference numerals primed. Inthis preferred form of the invention, passenger accommodation quartersindicated generally by reference numeral 230 are provided, thisaccommodation means being supported above the deck of the vessel by aplurality of pillars or support members 232 disposed at opposite sidesof the vessel. The arrangement is such that the passenger quarters areelevated above the bridge crane means so that the bridge crane meanspreviously described may move fore and aft so as to be disposed over thedesired cargo cells.

With the arrangement as shown in FIG. 11, a substantial amount ofpassenger accommodations may be provided, while at the same time alsoenabling the ship to have the same cargo carrying capacity. In addition,the cargo loading and unloading operations are not hindered by thepassenger structure, and the passenger compartment is disposed inoverlying relationship to the cargo cells so as to provide protectiontherefor from the elements and the like.

As seen in FIG. 2, a pair of winches 240 and 242 are supported at theupper deck of the ship at the aft portion of the middle body portion ofthe vessel, and these winches may be employed for moving one or more ofthe containers 76 along the flush deck of the vessel when desired.

A first container 76 has ben positioned at the aft part of the middlebody portion, and a further container 76" is being moved aft along theflush deck through the inter mediary of a cable 244 interconnected withwinch 242, this cable being suitably interconnected with the liftingfittings provided on the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-19 inclusive, these views illustrate in asomewhat schematic manner the steps involved in the method of handlingaccording to the present invention.

It will be noted that a plurality of containers 76 are dis posed in eachof the cells, and a hatch cover 68 is disposed over the left-hand cell,while a hatch cover 68' is disposed over the right-hand cell. A furtherhatch cover 680 is disposed over the central cell. The uppermostcontainer in this central cell is identified by the reference character76A, and the container immediately beneath container 76A is identifiedby the reference character 76B. The remaining containers in this cellare identified by the reference character 76.

It is assumed that the vessel is initially fully loaded as indicated inFIG. 12 with each of the cells illustrated being substantially filledwith containers as illustrated. FIGS. 12 through 19 illustrate the stepsinvolved in unloading the vessel wherein it is desired to removecontainer 76B while allowing container 7 6A to remain in the associatedcell for unloading at a subsequent port or time.

FIG. 12 illustrates the first step involved in unloading the vessel soas to remove container 76B while allowing container 76A to remain inplace within the cell. The trolley member 170 is moved over this centralcell, and pick-up hoist 174 is operated so that the hook 100 associatedtherewith is connected with a sling indicated by reference character 250which is attached to suitable fittings provided on the hatch cover 68c.The pick-up hoist 174 is then operated to lift the hatch cover 680upwardly as indicated in FIG. 12. Trolley member 170 may then be movedlaterally so as to move the hatch cover to one side, whereupon the hatchcover may be deposited on the deck or otherwise suitably stowed.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the next succeeding step in the method ofunloading is illustrated. The pick-up hoist 174 is lowered, and a slingindicated by reference numeral 250 is attached to the lifting fittingsof container 76A, whereupon the pick-up hoist is operated to lift thecontainer above the level of the flush upper deck as indicated in FIG.13.

The next step in the method is illustrated in FIG. 14 wherein a supportmeans indicated generally by reference character 260 has been placed inspanning relationship across the open upper end of the cell within whichcontainer 76A was previously disposed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the construction of support 260 is more clearlyillustrated. As seen in this figure, the support means includes a pairof spaced facing angle members 262 and 264 interconnected by crossmembers 266 to provide a rigid open framework. The angles 262 and 264are disposed in facing relationship so that the wheels 88 of a container76 may be supported thereon whereby the container is adapted to rollalong the support means onto the adjacent deck portion.

Referring again to FIG. 14, after the support means 260 has been placedin spanning relationship to the open upper end of the cell, container76A is lowered onto the support means as indicated, whereupon the hook100 of hoist I74 may be disconnected from the container.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the next steps involved in this method ofunloading the vessel are indicated. The con.-

tainer 76A is then rolled off of the support means onto the adjacentdeck portion in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of thevessel. It is apparent that the container may be moved either fore oraft as desired. The container is preferably moved by employing one ofthe winch mechanisms mounted on the vessel, or it can of course also behandled by stevedores in those cases where it is not too heavy.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the next step in the method is illustrated. Asseen in this figure, the hook 166 of pickup hoist 164 is interconnectedwith a sling 266 which is attached to the lifting fittings of thecontainer 76B. The hoist 164 may be considered an offloading hoist inthat it can be operated out along the folding jib extensions 180 of thecrane means for offloading container 76B. As seen in FIG. 16, container76B is lifted out of the associated cell, whereupon it may be directlyotfloaded by the associated pick-up hoist.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the support means 260 is again placed inspanning relationship to the open upper end of the cell, and container76A which has been stowed on the adjacent deck portions is moved ontothe support means as illustrated in FIG. 17.

The book of hoist -174 is then again attached to container 76A asindicated in FIG. 18 by means of a sling 250, and the container islifted upwardly, whereupon the support means 260 is removed fromspanning relationship with the open upper end of the cell.

Container 76A is then lowered back down into the cell to rest upon theuppermost one of the containers 76 at the bottom of the cell.

FIG. 19 illustrates container 76A as disposed in its stowed positionafter lowering back into the cell, and the hatch cover 76A is then againlowered into place by hook 100 connected with hoist 174.

At the completion of this sequence of steps, the container 76B has beenunloaded from the vessel, while container 76A remains stowed in itsassociated cell.

It is apparent that the loading procedure involved when it is desired toload container 76B into place beneath container 76A from the positionshown in FIG. 19 to the position shown in FIG. 12 would simply involve areversal of the steps previously described, and accordingly, the mannerof loading and unloading the vessel for either placing cargo in aparticular position or for removing a particular portion of the cargo isreadily apparent.

I claim:

1. A cargo vessel comprising a hull defining a cargo hold areatherewithin, spaced guide means provided within said cargo hold area anddefining a plurality of cargo cells, said vessel having an upper deckmeans including a plurality of hatches defining a substantially flushdeck, first and second track means supported by the upper portion ofsaid vessel, and crane means on said first track means for moving cargointo and out of said cargo cells, each of said hatches overlying only asingle one of said cargo cells whereby a particular cargo cell can beuncovered while the cargo cells immediately adjacent thereto remaincovered, bridge means movable along said second track means and beingdisposed in spanning relationship to said cargo hold area.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said crane means includespick-up hoist means thereon for handling cargo.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including passenger accommodationmeans disposed in overlying spaced relationship to certain of said cargocells and the batches of said upper deck means so as to provide readyaccess to said cargo cells and at the same time providing protectiontherefor.

4. A cargo vessel comprising a hull defining a cargo hold areatherewithin, spaced guide means provided within said cargo hold area anddefining a plurality of cargo cells, said vessel having an upper deckmeans including a plurali y of hatches. defining a substantially flushdeck,

and cargo transfer means on said vessel for moving cargo into and out ofsaid cargo cells, bridge deck means sup ported by the upper portion ofthe vessel and having an upper support surface thereon for supportingcargo, and track means supported by the upper portion of said vessel,said bridge deck means being movable along said track means and beingdisposed in spanning relationship to said cargo hold area.

5. A cargo vessel comprising a hull defining a cargo hold areatherewithin, spaced guide means provided within said cargo hold area anddefining a plurality of cargo cells, said vessel having an upper deckmeans including a plurality of hatches defining a substantially flushdeck, and cargo transfer means on said vessel for moving cargo into andout of said cargo cells, said cargo transfer means including crane meansdisposed in spanning relationship to said cargo hold area and movablealong the upper portion of said vessel, and bridge deck means disposedin spanning relationship to said cargo hold area and movable along theupper portion of said vessel, said bridge deck means being of smallerouter dimension than the inner dimension of said crane means so thatsaid bridge deck means is movable through said crane means.

6. A cargo vessel comprising a hull defining a cargo hold areatherewithin, spaced guide means provided within said cargo hold area anddefining a plurality of cargo cells, said vessel having an upper deckmeans including a plurality of batches defining a substantially flushdeck, and cargo transfer means on said vessel for moving cargo into andout of said cargo cells, each of said hatches overlying only a singleone of said cargo cells whereby a particular cargo cell can be uncoveredwhile the cargo cells immediately adjacent thereto remain covered, saidcells being disposed immediately adjacent one another, cargo supportmeans mounted for movement within at least one of said cells, said cargosupport means comprising a platform fitting within a plurality of saidguide means and being guided for movement by said guide means, and meansfor holding said platform in a desired vertical position, said holdingmeans including a plurality of holes formed in said guide means, and pinmeans fitting within said holes, said pin means being threaded, saidplatform having threaded holes for receiving the threaded portion ofsaid pin means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said pin means includes ahead which fits snugly Within an associated 'hole in the adjacent guidemeans, said head having a socket formed therein to receive a tool forthreading the pin into operative position.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said pin is so dimensionedthat when it is in operative position, the head of the pin is receivedwithin the associated hole of the guide means and does not project intoan adjacent cell.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said pin means includes areduced threaded portion and an enlarged head, said head having a socketformed therein to receive a tool.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,247,145 6/ 1941 Baldwin.2,985,131 5/1961 Knight et al. 114-72 2,988,036 6/1961 Mooneyhan et al.214-15 XR 3,189,376 6/1965 Johansson.

FOREIGN PATENTS 686,015 1/ 1953 Great Britain.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner F. E. WERNER, Assistant ExaminerUS. 01. X.R.

